Bashar al Assad and his family are in Moscow, according to state media, having fled Syria as rebel forces captured the capital Damascus after a shock offensive that began less than two weeks ago.
During his address earlier this evening, Joe Biden expressed optimism over finding American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria 12 years ago.Mr Tice was reporting on the nation's conflict when he went missing. A video released weeks after showed him blindfolded and held by armed men. He has not been heard from since. The Syria government has publicly denied holding him.
'We are mindful that there are Americans in Syria, including those who reside there, as well as Austin Tice, who was taken captive more than 12 years ago,' Mr Biden said. 'We remain committed to returning him to his family.'Asked immediately after his remarks to elaborate on his plan to bring Mr Tice home, Mr Biden told reporters: 'We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet.
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